Rhododendron delavayi
Rhododendron delaavayi, commonly known as the Delavay rhododendron, is a striking medicinal shrub native to the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. Renowned for its vibrant blooms, this resilient plant contains bioactive compounds traditionally used in folk medicine to treat inflammatory conditions, skin ailments, and various systemic ailments.
- Scientific name: Rhododendron delavayi
- Family: Ericaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ericales, it is a member of the family Ericaceae. It is specifically classified under the genus Rhododendron.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Ericaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Rhododendron | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Rhododendron delaavayi, is referred to by several common names depending on the linguistic context. In Chinese, it is frequently called 马缨杜鹃 (mǎ yīng dù juān), a name used across various regions, including the simplified form 马缨杜鹃 (zh-cn) and the traditional form 馬纓杜鵑 (zh-tw). It is also commonly known as 马缨花 (mǎ yīng huā) and simply 马缨杜鹃 (mǎ yīng dù juān).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 马缨杜鹃 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 马缨杜鹃 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 馬纓杜鵑 | Wikidata |
| zh | 马缨花 | Wikidata |
| zh | 马缨杜鹃 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several key regions across Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Additionally, it is native to the high-altitude landscapes of Tibet. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, the species is documented within the state of Assam. Finally, its range extends across the rugged terrain of the East Himalaya.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Rhododendron delaavayi, possesses distinct morphological features, particularly in its leaves which serve as a key diagnostic characteristic. The leaves are typically evergreen, leathery in texture, and arranged in clusters at the ends of the branches. They often exhibit a thick, protective cuticle and may feature specialized underside structures, such as indumentum or scales, which help the plant manage moisture and survive in its specific high-altitude habitat.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Rhododendron delavayi has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone, catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin-(2beta-->O-->7,4beta-->8)-ent-epicatechin.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epicatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epicatechin-(2beta-->O-->7,4beta-->8)-ent-epicatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |